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{{Short description|Collection of islands}} | {{Short description|Collection of islands}} | ||
{{Redirect|Island chain|the strategy|Island | {{Redirect|Island chain|the strategy|Island chain strategy||Archipelago (disambiguation)}} | ||
{{Distinguish|arpeggio|a cappella}} | {{Distinguish|arpeggio|a cappella}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} | ||
[[File:Aegeansea.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Aegean Sea]] with its large number of islands is the origin of the term ''archipelago''.]] | [[File:Aegeansea.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Aegean Sea]] with its large number of islands is the origin of the term ''archipelago''.]] | ||
[[File:MerguiArchipelagoMap.png|thumb|The [[Mergui Archipelago]] in [[Myanmar]]]] | [[File:MerguiArchipelagoMap.png|thumb|The [[Mergui Archipelago]] in [[Myanmar]]]] | ||
An '''archipelago''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɑːr|k|ə|ˈ|p|ɛ|l|ə | An '''archipelago''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɑːr|k|ə|ˈ|p|ɛ|l|ə|ɡ|oʊ|audio=en-us-archipelago.ogg}} {{respell|AR|kə|PEL|ə|goh}}),<ref>{{cite Dictionary.com|archipelago}}</ref> sometimes called an '''island group''' or '''island chain''', is a chain, cluster, or collection of [[island]]s, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands. | ||
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You'll see that the "see also" section appropriately references an article "List of archipelagos by number of islands". That, not here, is the place to maintain the inventory. | You'll see that the "see also" section appropriately references an article "List of archipelagos by number of islands". That, not here, is the place to maintain the inventory. | ||
--> | --> | ||
Examples of archipelagos include: the [[List of islands of Indonesia|Indonesian Archipelago]], the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], the [[Lakshadweep]] Islands, the [[Galápagos Islands]], the [[Japanese Archipelago]], the [[List of islands of the Philippines|Philippine Archipelago]], the [[Maldives]], the [[Balearic Isles]], [[ | Examples of archipelagos include: the [[List of islands of Indonesia|Indonesian Archipelago]], the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], the [[Lakshadweep]] Islands, the [[Galápagos Islands]], the [[Japanese Archipelago|Japanese archipelago]], the [[List of islands of the Philippines|Philippine Archipelago]], the [[Maldives]], the [[Balearic Isles|Balearic Islands]], the [[Åland Islands]], [[The Bahamas]], the [[Aegean Islands]], the [[Hawaiian Islands]], the [[Canary Islands]], [[Malta]], the [[Azores]], the [[Arctic Archipelago|Canadian Arctic Archipelago]], the [[British Isles]], the islands of the [[Archipelago Sea]], and [[Shetland]]. Archipelagos are sometimes defined by political boundaries. For example, while they are geopolitically divided, the [[San Juan Islands]] and [[Gulf Islands]] geologically form part of a larger Gulf Archipelago.<ref name="NOS Archipelago">{{cite web |author1=NOAA |title=What is an archipelago? |url=https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/archipelago.html |website=National Ocean Service |access-date=10 May 2023}}</ref> | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The word ''archipelago'' is derived from the [[Ancient Greek]] ἄρχι-(''arkhi-'', "chief") and πέλαγος (''pélagos'', "sea") through the Italian ''arcipelago''. In [[Classical Antiquity|antiquity]], "Archipelago" (from [[ | The word ''archipelago'' is derived from the [[Ancient Greek]] ἄρχι-(''arkhi-'', "chief") and πέλαγος (''pélagos'', "sea") through the Italian ''arcipelago''. In [[Classical Antiquity|antiquity]], "Archipelago" (from [[Medieval Greek]] [[Linguistic reconstruction|*]]ἀρχιπέλαγος and [[medieval Latin|Latin]] {{Lang|la-x-medieval|archipelagus}}) was the proper name for the [[Aegean Sea]]. Later, usage shifted to refer to the [[Aegean Islands]] (since the sea has a large number of islands). | ||
==Geographic types== | ==Geographic types== | ||
Archipelagos may be found isolated in large amounts of water or neighbouring a large land mass. For example, [[Scotland]] has more than 700 islands surrounding its mainland which form an archipelago. | Archipelagos may be found isolated in large amounts of water or neighbouring a large land mass. For example, [[Scotland]] has more than 700 islands surrounding its mainland, which form an archipelago. | ||
Archipelagos are often volcanic, forming along island | Archipelagos are often volcanic, forming along [[island arc]]s generated by [[subduction]] zones or [[Hotspot (geology)|hotspots]], but may also be the result of [[erosion]], [[Deposition (sediment)|deposition]], and [[land elevation]]. Depending on their geological origin, islands forming archipelagos can be referred to as ''oceanic islands'', ''continental fragments'', or ''continental islands''.<ref>Whittaker R. J. & Fernández-Palacios J. M. (2007) ''Island Biogeography: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation''. New York, Oxford University Press</ref> | ||
===Oceanic islands=== | ===Oceanic islands=== | ||
Oceanic islands are mainly of volcanic origin, and widely separated from any adjacent continent. The [[Hawaiian Islands]] and [[ | Oceanic islands are mainly of volcanic origin, and widely separated from any adjacent continent. The [[Hawaiian Islands]] and [[Galapagos Islands]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], and [[Mascarene Islands]] in the south [[Indian Ocean]] are examples. | ||
===Continental fragments=== | ===Continental fragments=== | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
===Artificial archipelagos=== | ===Artificial archipelagos=== | ||
Artificial archipelagos have been created in various countries for different purposes. [[Palm Islands]] and | Artificial archipelagos have been created in various countries for different purposes. [[Palm Islands]] and [[The World (archipelago)|The World Islands]] off Dubai were or are being created for leisure and tourism purposes.<ref>{{cite web | last=McFadden | first=Christopher | title=7+ Amazing Facts About Dubai's Palm Islands | website=Interesting Engineering | date=22 December 2019 | url=https://interestingengineering.com/7-curious-facts-about-dubais-palm-islands | access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Wainwright | first=Oliver | title=Not the end of The World: the return of Dubai's ultimate folly | website=The Guardian| date=13 February 2018 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/13/not-end-the-world-return-dubai-ultimate-folly | access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref> [[Marker Wadden]] in the Netherlands is being built as a conservation area for birds and other wildlife.<ref>{{cite web | last=Boffey | first=Daniel | title=Marker Wadden, the manmade Dutch archipelago where wild birds reign supreme | website=The Guardian| date=27 April 2019 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/27/marker-wadden-islands-netherlands-manmade-archipelago-wild-birds-eco-haven | access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref> | ||
==Superlatives== | |||
The largest archipelago in the world is the [[Archipelago Sea]] which is part of [[Finland]]. There are approximately 40,000, mostly uninhabited, islands <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sjofartsverket.se/upload/378/Sjokortsbilder/61.pdf|title=Nautical chart: International no. 1205, SE61, Baltic Sea, North, Sea of Åland.|publisher=}}</ref> | |||
The largest archipelagic state in the world by area, and by population, is [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Indonesia|access-date=7 December 2008 |year=2008}}</ref> | |||
The largest archipelagic state in the world by area, and by population, is [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{ | |||
<!-- It isn't clear if this 'factoid' should be in this article, or in the [[Indonesia]] article instead. --> | <!-- It isn't clear if this 'factoid' should be in this article, or in the [[Indonesia]] article instead. --> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Island arc]] | * [[Island arc]] | ||
* [[List of landforms]] | * [[List of landforms]] | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Archipelago}} | * {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Archipelago}} | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090130062925/http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/island-archipelagos/3612 30 Most Incredible Island Archipelagos] | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090130062925/http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/island-archipelagos/3612 30 Most Incredible Island Archipelagos] | ||
{{coastal geography}} | {{coastal geography}} | ||
[[Category:Archipelagoes| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard--> | [[Category:Archipelagoes| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard--> | ||
[[Category:Coastal and oceanic landforms]] | [[Category:Coastal and oceanic landforms]] | ||
[[Category:Oceanographical terminology]] | [[Category:Oceanographical terminology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:48, 13 August 2023
An archipelago (/ˌɑːrkəˈpɛləɡoʊ/ (
listen) AR-kə-PEL-ə-goh),[1] sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands.
Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Archipelago, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Lakshadweep Islands, the Galápagos Islands, the Japanese archipelago, the Philippine Archipelago, the Maldives, the Balearic Islands, the Åland Islands, The Bahamas, the Aegean Islands, the Hawaiian Islands, the Canary Islands, Malta, the Azores, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the British Isles, the islands of the Archipelago Sea, and Shetland. Archipelagos are sometimes defined by political boundaries. For example, while they are geopolitically divided, the San Juan Islands and Gulf Islands geologically form part of a larger Gulf Archipelago.[2]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The word archipelago is derived from the Ancient Greek ἄρχι-(arkhi-, "chief") and πέλαγος (pélagos, "sea") through the Italian arcipelago. In antiquity, "Archipelago" (from Medieval Greek *ἀρχιπέλαγος and Latin archipelagus) was the proper name for the Aegean Sea. Later, usage shifted to refer to the Aegean Islands (since the sea has a large number of islands).
Geographic types[edit | edit source]
Archipelagos may be found isolated in large amounts of water or neighbouring a large land mass. For example, Scotland has more than 700 islands surrounding its mainland, which form an archipelago.
Archipelagos are often volcanic, forming along island arcs generated by subduction zones or hotspots, but may also be the result of erosion, deposition, and land elevation. Depending on their geological origin, islands forming archipelagos can be referred to as oceanic islands, continental fragments, or continental islands.[3]
Oceanic islands[edit | edit source]
Oceanic islands are mainly of volcanic origin, and widely separated from any adjacent continent. The Hawaiian Islands and Galapagos Islands in the Pacific, and Mascarene Islands in the south Indian Ocean are examples.
Continental fragments[edit | edit source]
Continental fragments correspond to land masses that have separated from a continental mass due to tectonic displacement. The Farallon Islands off the coast of California are an example.
Continental archipelagos[edit | edit source]
Sets of islands formed close to the coast of a continent are considered continental archipelagos when they form part of the same continental shelf, when those islands are above-water extensions of the shelf. The islands of the Inside Passage off the coast of British Columbia and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are examples.
Artificial archipelagos[edit | edit source]
Artificial archipelagos have been created in various countries for different purposes. Palm Islands and The World Islands off Dubai were or are being created for leisure and tourism purposes.[4][5] Marker Wadden in the Netherlands is being built as a conservation area for birds and other wildlife.[6]
Superlatives[edit | edit source]
The largest archipelago in the world is the Archipelago Sea which is part of Finland. There are approximately 40,000, mostly uninhabited, islands [7]
The largest archipelagic state in the world by area, and by population, is Indonesia.[8]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Island arc
- List of landforms
- List of archipelagos by number of islands
- List of archipelagos
- Archipelagic state
- List of islands
- Aquapelago
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Template:Cite Dictionary.com
- ↑ NOAA. "What is an archipelago?". National Ocean Service. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ↑ Whittaker R. J. & Fernández-Palacios J. M. (2007) Island Biogeography: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. New York, Oxford University Press
- ↑ McFadden, Christopher (22 December 2019). "7+ Amazing Facts About Dubai's Palm Islands". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ↑ Wainwright, Oliver (13 February 2018). "Not the end of The World: the return of Dubai's ultimate folly". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ↑ Boffey, Daniel (27 April 2019). "Marker Wadden, the manmade Dutch archipelago where wild birds reign supreme". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ↑ "Nautical chart: International no. 1205, SE61, Baltic Sea, North, Sea of Åland" (PDF).
- ↑ Template:Cite CIA World Factbook
External links[edit | edit source]
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- 30 Most Incredible Island Archipelagos